This is the story of a bat-shit crazy Tai Chi dude and a guy trying to listen to music on his phone while wearing shorts and smoking a cigarette, one sunny summer day in Prospect Park, set to the first track from Prodigy and Alchemist‘s outstanding “IMDKV” from the Albert Einstein album. I sense an…
Category: Killa Queens
Unkut TV: Episode 1 – Prodigy and Alchemist “Albert Einstein” release party
Finally I get to act like a poor-man’s Dallas Penn now that I stole a camcorder from some dude who was passed out on my Mom’s couch. Much Rap Hands on the set in this one, as we rolled through to the Albert Einstein listening party and broke bread with QB Rap royalty. Please mail…
B-1 – The Unkut Interview
Queens resident B-1 is best remembered for his work with Kool G Rap and Large Professor, but with a lost tape single from 1997 dropping soon through Ill Adrenaline on 45 and cassette and a new album in the works, it turns out that his history in Queens rap runs deep. Not to mention I…
Rewind Wednesdays: Mobb Deep – The Infamous Track By Track Review
Just helped out on this piece over at Takin’ Mines: Released just a week after the one year anniversary of Nas’ Illmatic, Mobb Deep’s Loud debut, The Infamous, is nothing short of a masterpiece. Although historically, Illmatic has been held to the standard as the best rap album of all time, it’s fair to consider…
Tragedy and Craig G – Live At The In Control Show [1989]
Here’s some Rap Radio gold courtesy of my man’s Will C: “Tragedy the Intelligent Hoodlum back to back with Craig G live on arguably the greatest rap radio show of all time. This is the Marley Marl In Control Rap Show on 107.5 WBLS from what appears to be April or May 1989. Seeing as…
Why I Was Wrong About Illmatic
Like many of you, the first time I heard Nasty Nas was through his stirring performance on Main Source’s seminal “Live At The BBQ”, but it was initial exposure to “Halftime” on a local radio show that really got me amped. I was so impressed with the track that I eventually went on to describe…
Spyder-D – The Unkut Interview, Part 2
Continuing my talk with Spyder-D, we discuss his relationship with Sparky-D, the saga of Kool Moe Dee ripping-off his song, record label headaches and why Run won’t talk to him anymore. Robbie: Was the Tuff City compilation of your early work an authorized release? Spyder-D: I wouldn’t be surprised if Tuff City didn’t have something…
Spyder-D – The Unkut Interview, Part 1
Photo: Talib Haqq Spyder-D has quite the forgotten legacy. He was the first MC to release a record on his own label (“Big Apple Rappin’”, 1980), was sporting the pork-pie hat that inspired Run-DMC, helped “The Smurf” dance spread across America and stalked Vaughn Mason, all before 1985. He later had a song ripped-off by…
Craig G – The Unkut Interview
MC Craig G started his recording career back in 1985 with “Shout” on Lawrence Goodman‘s Philadelphia-based Pop Art label in 1985, before “Droppin’ Science” for Marley Marl and releasing two solo albums on Atlantic before he took the independent route. Despite being initially known for his freestyle skills, Craig has since refined his song-writing abilities…
Video: LL Cool J Live In 1985
Amazing footage of Ladies Love Cool James rocking a school gym. “Mommy, what’s a super sperm?” Youtube user Kodiak Starr writes: “LL Cool J at age 17 and DJ Cut Creator perform live. 1985, Colby College, Waterville Maine. 5 months before Radio was released. My dad tried to get RUN DMC, but could not afford…
MC Shan – The Unkut Interview
MC Shan was an original member of the Juice Crew All-Stars, perhaps the greatest collection of MC’s ever to claim membership in the same crew. His QB anthem, “The Bridge” served as the unwitting catalyst in the Bridge Wars, following BDP‘s humiliation at the hands of Juice Crew founder Mr. Magic. Citing the numerous mentions…
Geechie Dan – The Unkut Interview, Part 2
Merrick Boulevard Here’s the long overdue conclusion to the Geechie Dan interview (from six months back), where he talks about hanging out with battle legend Mikey D, his involvement with WBAU radio, the ups and downs of LL Cool J‘s career and trying to get a deal and missing his chance to become a professional…